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FEATURES Our Neighborhood: The Way It Was • Interesting People • Local History • Events Around Town And More 19 • TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 Free Sounds Of The Summer Season Queens Hosts Plenty Of Outdoor Concerts For All Kinds Of Music Lovers by Robert Pozarycki Spend some of those long summer nights enjoying tunes at many free concerts scheduled at public parks and other venues across the Times Newsweekly coverage area throughout July and August. Serving Up Tasty Times In Maspeth Good food and good company were served during the Maspeth Lions Club’s pancake breakfast on Sunday, June 29, at Frank Kowalinski Post 4. Lions club members gathered to serve breakfast to scores of guests and raise funds for its various functions. Club members, including President Joseph Papavero, are pictured above. (photo: Marcin Zurawicz) Kids Get Free Meals This Summer Across The City More Than 1,000 Locations Participate The Department of Education (DOE), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Share Our Strength (SOS) announced the 2014 summer meals program, an annual initiative that provides free, healthy breakfast and lunch to millions of children across New York City. Children don’t need to be enrolled in summer school to participate in the summer meals program and no application is required. These meals are available at many locations, regardless of where a child lives. Through Aug. 29, the program will serve children 18 and younger—regardless of New York City residency—at roughly 1,000 locations, including pools, schools, libraries, parks, public housing sites, community-based organizations, and soup kitchens throughout the five boroughs. The summer meals program, administered by the DOE’s Office of SchoolFood, has been operating for over 30 years. Last year, 7.6 million meals were served to children, an increase from the 7.1 million meals served during the previous summer of 2012. “Ensuring the health of our children is our highest priority—and providing them with quality, nutritious meals is central to that,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I am thrilled to see this partnership with the NBA continue, and I urge all New Yorkers to participate in this free city service.” “Eating healthful meals is critical for a child's development and wellbeing, and this program provides all children, of all ages, from all communities, with a nutritious breakfast and lunch,” Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña added. “Last summer, we served more than 7.6 million meals to children and we encourage families across the City to take advantage of this important -SEE MEALS ON PG. 56- While there’s no cover charge at these venues, seating may be limited or unavailable—so guests are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs to the show. Depending on the venue, the concerts may be cancelled due to extreme weather; residents should contact the sponsoring organization prior to the event. The outdoor concert lineup includes the following, listed according to neighborhood or venue: Middle Village Doo-wop, classic rock and European sounds will fill the air at Juniper Valley Park the next four Tuesday nights during the 2014 Juniper Valley Park Concert Series. Each show will take place at 7 p.m. on the softball field located off the corner of 80th Street and Juniper Boulevard North. The series kicks off this Tuesday, July 8, with Doo-wop Night, as the New York Exceptions will delight an audience with some of the 1950s favorite hits. Italian Night on July 15 will feature acts performing popular tunes with an Italian flair. One week later, July 22, Tommy Clyne and Rumor Has It will rock the stage on Irish Night. The concert series wraps up on July 29 with “Summer of ’69,” as Generations takes concertgoers on a far out musical trip to the time of Woodstock. Presented by the city Parks Department and the Juniper Park Civic Association, the concert series is also sponsored by Crifasi Real Estate, the Juniper Valley Park Conservancy, Queensboro UNICO and O’Neills’ Restaurant. For more information, visit www.junipercivic.com or call 1- 718-651-5865.Maspeth Golden oldies will headline three free summer concerts hosted by Maspeth Federal Savings at the parking lot of its main branch, located at the corner of 69th Street and Grand Avenue in Maspeth. The series kicks off on Wednesday night, July 9, with two classic doo-wop acts: Larry Chance and The Earls, best known for the hits “Remember Then” and “Life is But a Dream”; and Tommy Mara and The Crests, who—while previously led by the late Johnny Maestro—had hit songs such as “16 Candles” and “Step by Step.” Then on Wednesday night, Aug. 6, Real Diamond—a tribute to, naturally, Neil Diamond—will take the stage to perform hit songs from the voice behind fan favorites such as “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie.” Finally, guests are sure to come down with a serious case of “Night Fever” on Wednesday, Aug. 20, as Stayin’ Alive—a Bee Gees tribute band—performs some of the disco group’s greatest hits. All three shows will get underway at 7:30 p.m.; seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The shows will be held under a tent and are rain or shine. Call Maspeth Federal Savings at 1-718-335-1300 or visit www.maspethfederal.com for additional information. Highland Park Drumbeats will pound at Highland Park in Cypress Hills this Wednesday, July 9, as Hip Pickles—billed as “the world’s most exciting interactive drum band”—will perform their percussion sounds for guests of all ages. The show takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. in Highland Park off the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street. Visit www.nycgovparks.com for additional information. Forest Park Tributes to some of rock-androll’s greatest acts will headline the Forest Park concert series scheduled to get underway next Thursday night. Each of the shows will take place on five consecutive Thursday nights from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the George Seuffert Bandshell located off Forest Park Drive and Woodhaven Boulevard. Concertgoers will “Livin’ on a Prayer” during the July 10 show, as Bon Jersey—a tribute to Bon Jovi—performs some of the Garden State-based band’s favorite hits. The Forest Park Trust sponsors the performance. Four decades of Rod Stewart hits will be celebrated the following week, July 17, as Blondes Have More Fun, featuring singer Rick Larrimore, perform some of the British singer’s chart-topping songs. Latin sounds will grace the bandshell on July 24 as Pasofino takes the audience on a journey through various Latin music genres. Singing the songs of the “Piano Man” on July 31 will be Mike Delgidice and Big Shot, a cover band featuring several of Billy Joel’s accompanists. Finally, Disco Unlimited will put everybody in a 1970s dancing groove with their Aug. 7 perormance. For more information, visit www.nycgovparks.com. Astoria This year’s Waterfront Concert Series at Astoria Park, in the shadow of the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, pays tribute to some of the greatest acts of rock-and-roll, country and Motown. Sponsored by the Central Astoria Local Development Corporation, each show will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. over six Thursday nights in July and August at the Astoria Park Lawn, located on Shore Boulevard near the Astoria Pool. Sounds of the “Fab Four” will headline the next show on Thursday, July 10, as Strawberry Fields performs a wide variety of The Beatles’ greatest hits. One week later, Forever Ray—a tribute to Ray Charles—will perform the classic R&B pianist’s favorite hits -SEE CONCERTS ON PG. 56-


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